Afghan and Pakistani troops engage in intense firefight amid escalating tensions

Forces from Afghanistan and Pakistan exchanged heavy gunfire along their shared border as relations between the neighboring countries worsened following unsuccessful peace negotiations in Saudi Arabia. Officials from both nations reported that the clashes erupted late Friday night, with each side blaming the other for initiating the attack.

In a statement on X, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for Afghanistan's Taliban government, claimed that Pakistani forces "launched attacks towards" the Spin Boldak district in Kandahar province, prompting Afghan forces to retaliate.

Meanwhile, a representative for Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif insisted that Afghan troops were responsible for "unprovoked firing" along the Chaman border. Spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi emphasized that Pakistan remains vigilant in protecting its territory and citizens.

Residents near the border in Afghanistan told AFP that the exchange of fire began around 10:30 p.m. local time (18:00 GMT) and continued for roughly two hours. Ali Mohammad Haqmal, head of Kandahars information department, reported that Pakistani forces employed both light and heavy artillery, with mortar rounds striking civilian homes. He added that the clashes have since ceased after both sides agreed to stop, and no immediate casualties were reported.

Background of Strained Relations

Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Islamabad accuses Kabul of harboring several armed groups, including the Pakistan Taliban (TTP), which has carried out attacks in Pakistan since 2007 and is ideologically linked to the Afghan Taliban. A recent TTP bombing near the Afghan border killed three Pakistani police officers.

Pakistan also claims that Afghanistan shelters the Balochistan Liberation Army and a local ISIL affiliate known as ISKP, though the ISKP opposes the Afghan Taliban. Kabul denies responsibility for security issues inside Pakistan and has accused Islamabad of spreading misinformation to provoke border tensions.

Violence on the shared border escalated in October when Islamabad demanded that Kabul control fighters attacking Pakistan. About 70 people were killed and hundreds injured before a ceasefire was reached in Doha, Qatar, on October 19. Subsequent attempts at longer-term peace talks in Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia have failed, including the latest round last weekend, which maintained only the fragile truce.

Despite the ceasefire, Afghan officials have accused Pakistan of recent airstrikes in eastern provinces. One late-November attack in Khost province allegedly killed nine children and a woman, though Pakistan denied conducting the strike.

Author: Sophia Brooks